Solutions

August 2025

On the Flatirons Trail near Boulder, Colorado where one has time to wonder.

“There are no solutions; there are only trade-offs.”

— Thomas Sowell, economic, social and political theorist

Variations on Thomas Sowell’s quote as it relates to political and economic policy making and their unpleasant unintended consequences. The solution depends upon the problem and the problems are many.

No true solutions —

Each choice gives and takes back,

Balance in all things

.

No one solution —

The Way flows like a river

Unseen ever changing

.

A true solution

Depends upon the problem

And our problems are too many

Take energy policy for example, oil and gas, coal, wind and solar, uranium, each presents its own challenges.

Like a new car with lane assist:

In all things, balance —

Straight, curving, ever changing

Sticking to the way.

Composed on the trail to the Flatirons outside Boulder, Colorado and far from the madding crowds, where one has time to think and ponder how one keeps on the path.